Lessing discusses photo essay on evangelicals

Posted on by Jason Sandford

Asheville-based documentary photographer Scott Lessing began photographing evangelicals in Western North Carolina last summer, and some of his work appears as a photo essay in this week’s Mountain Xpress.

Click the image above to view a slideshow by Jason Sandford.

Although there’s no single agreed-upon definition of the movement, evangelicals often cite these themes: fealty to scripture, devotion to Jesus Christ and the primacy of being “born again.” Beyond those core beliefs, adherents come in many stripes, Lessing has learned.

“Since WNC is the home of Billy Graham — one of the nation’s pre-eminent preachers and evangelicals — I was curious to see the contemporary face and character of the movement,” Lessing says. Click on the photo to listen to Lessing talk about some of the photos in his project.

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